Reduced glare scanner

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus for reduced glare observation of the eye fundus through optical lenses is accomplished by synchronized scanning illumination and observation of successive portions of the fundus. The scanning is conducted in rapid cycles to obtain continuous observation of the fundus and to provide for reduced glare photographs thereof.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 528,740, filed Dec. 2,1974 and now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for reduced glareillumination and observation of an article through transparent,reflective and diffusive media, particularly such illumination andobservation utilizing a scanning means.

THE PRIOR ART

Illumination of objects through transparent reflective and diffusivemedia, e.g. lenses or water for observation and photography thereof iswidely practiced with attempts being made to reduce light reflection anddiffusion in the media which cause glare and haze interference. Forexample, in the illumination of the eye interior where the light isreflected back out from the eye through the lens therein, the pupil, andthrough a lens system to an image receiving means, i.e. a camera orobserver, light reflected and diffused in the lens system results inglare interference which obscures the image received. To reduce suchglare a diaphragm is placed in the lens system and the aperture thereofadjusted in alignment with the eye pupil, so as to screen out much ofthe glare or haze from the image observed or photographed. Further,glare reduction is obtained by illuminating the fundus outside of thelens observation system; see, for example, my copending U.S. Patentapplication Ser. No. 455,975, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,189, entitled"Wide Angle Fundus Illumination and Photography Apparatus." However,even with the above measures, appreciable glare or haze still istransmitted with the resultant image.

Accordingly, there is a need and market for a method and apparatus whichfurther reduces the glare and haze from the resultant image of sucharticles particularly in the observation and photography thereof.

There has now been discovered a method and apparatus for observing andphotographing objects through transparent, reflective and diffusivemedia, by sequentially illuminating the object while employing in theimage receiving system, a glare shield or diaphragm with a moveableaperture, which sequentially scans the so-illuminated objectsynchronously with the illuminating device by projecting a movingglare-reducing entrance pupil thereon while screening out reflectedglare to obtain a reduced glare image thereof.

SUMMARY

Broadly the present invention provides a method and apparatus forreduced glare observation of an article through transparent, reflectiveand diffusive media comprising, an image receiving means; illuminationmeans which beams light to said article, said media being mountedproximate said article, said light being reflected from said articlethrough said media to said image receiving means; light directing meansto direct said light to rapidly and repeatedly illuminate successiveportions of said article; an observation diaphragm positioned between atleast a portion of said media and said image receiving means, saiddiaphragm having a movable aperture for moving in concert with saidlight directing means so as to rapidly scan the sequentially illuminatedportions of said article, the remainder of said diaphragm screening outglare and means for moving said light directing means and said diaphragmaperture in synchronization.

DESCRIPTION

The invention will become more apparent from the following detailedspecification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation view, partly in schematic, of aglare-reducing scanner embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a diaphragm of the scanner of FIG. 1taken on line 2--2 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view, partly in schematic, of an illuminationmeans component of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a part of the illumination meanscomponent of FIG. 3 taken on lines 4--4 looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation view, partly in schematic, of anotherillumination means component of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional elevation view, partly in schematic, of yetanother illumination means component of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a diaphragm of the illumination componentmeans of FIG. 6 taken along lines 7--7, looking in the direction of thearrows;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of an alternate diaphragm of theillumination component means of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 to 15 illustrate various illumination patterns projected by thereduced glare scanner of the present invention;

FIGS. 16 to 18 are elevation views of various diaphragms employed in thescanner embodying the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an elevation view, partly in schematic, of anotherillumination means component of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is an elevation view of the illumination means component of FIG.19 linked to a synchronized observation diaphragm;

FIG. 21 is a sectional elevation view, partly in schematic, of anotherglare reducing scanner embodying the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an elevation view of a diaphragm of the scanner of FIG. 21taken on line 23--23 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 23 is an elevation view of an alternate diaphragm for the scannerof FIG. 21,

FIG. 24 illustrates another illumination pattern projected by thescanner embodying the invention.

FIG. 25 illustrates another embodiment of an illumination meanscomponent of the invention and

FIG. 26 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional schematic of a portionof the embodiment shown in FIG. 25.

Referring now to the drawings, the reduced glare scanner embodying theinvention 10 has housing 12 having frontal lens 34 at the forward endthereof and a camera (film transport device) 11 at the rearward endthereof as shown in FIG. 1, and a plurality of lenses in-between asdescribed below. Thus, at the forward end of the housing 12 is mountedobjective lens cone 25 which contains foremost, as the first lens means,lens 34, preferably a contact lens and objective lens means 26therebehind as shown in FIG. 1. The contact lens 34 is positioned inclose proximity or in contact with the cornea of the eye to be observed.The fundus 27 of the eye 28 is illuminated by optic fiber bundle 30which spreads into fibers mounted around the peripheral portion of thelens 34, which fibers together project a beam which illuminates a widefield of the fundus, also shown in FIG. 1. Further discussion of theillumination system follows below:

Behind the objective lens means 26 is collimating lens means 24 followedby focus tubes 14 and 16 which are axially moveable mounted within thehousing 12 as shown in FIG. 1. The focus tube 14 has mounted at theforward end thereof, decollimating lens means 22, spaced from adjustableaperture diaphragm 20, which is mounted at the rear end of such tube asshown in FIG. 1. The focus tube 14 is moveable by knob 29. The focustube 16 has objective lens means 18 mounted thereon and is moveable byknob 17 as shown in FIG. 1. The knobs 17 and 29 extend through narrowslots in the housing 12.

Behind the focus tube 16, within the housing 12 is positioned beamsplitter 13 which directs a portion of the beam to portal A and finallythe image receiving device, eg. film transport device or camera 11 asshown in FIG. 1.

In operation, the head of the patient is positioned on a chin rest (notshown) and the entire scanner 10 is brought into position proximate orin contact with the cornea of the patient's eye 28. The illuminatinglight is activated and travels through the optic fibers to project abeam which illuminates the fundus 27 of the eye 28 in a wide field. Thebeam 35, eg. from point 33 on the fundus 27 reflects back through theeye lens 36, through the pupil and the contact lens 34, throughobjective lens means 26 where the light beam converges to focal point 39to form an intermediate image, thence diverges to collimating lens means24, where the beam is rendered less divergent and directed rearwardlytoward the focusing tube 14. The beam enters the focusing tube 14through the decollimating lens means 22, which renders components of thebeam less divergent and nearly parallel and directs such beam rearwardlythrough the diaphragm 20 (which reduces or blocks glare components ofthe beams), to the objective lens means 18, which converges the beam toa point or zone 37 on the image receiving means, e.g. film 15 of camera11. In another example, points 41 and 45 on the fundus 27 reflect,respectively, principal rays 43 and 42 which are parallel between lensmeans 24 and 22 and pass through the respective lenses to points 49 and51 on the camera film 11 as shown in FIG. 1. The focusing tubes 14 and16 are moved within the housing 12 along the beam or beams until suchbeam is focused by the objective lens means 18 of the tube 14 on theimage receiving means as seen by the observer at portal A thereof.

The focusing tubes 14 and 16 can be moved together or separately toobtain the desired focusing on the target area.

The illumination system 52 includes a series of scanning lamps 54 whichare connected to power source 56 and which can be activated in sequenceby switch 58. Variable resistor 60 controls the intensity of theactivated lamp.

In focusing the system, the lamps 54 are turned on at reduced intensityand the light beam 62 is directed through lens 64 where it is focused onthe fiber bundle 66 and transmitted to the frontal lens 34 and thenceinto the eye 28 to illuminate the fundus 27. The respective lenses 22and 18 are moved within the housing 12 until the apparatus is focused onthe fundus 27 as seen by the observer of portal A. At this point,appreciable glare is present in the received image due to reflectionsand diffusions in the eye lens 36, the frontal lens 34, and theinterfaces of the cornea, and the objective lens 26 To significantlyreduce this glare, the scanning means of the invention is introduced.

Thus, scanning diaphragm 68, a disc 70 having fins 72 and aperture 74,is positioned in air bearing channel 76 through housing 12 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. At this point, the intensity of the lamps 54 can beincreased as desired by adjusting variable resistor 60. The disc 70 isrotated by a jet of air charged into the channel 76 at port 78 andvented at exit port 80. The rotating aperture 74 of the diaphragmsequentially scans the fundus 27 while the rest of the disc 70 blocksout reflected light from the fundus 27 and lenses 36, 26 and 24,reducing the glare in the received image.

To further reduce glare and as a further part of the scanning means, thelamps 54 and thus the ends in the fiber bundle 66 are sequentiallyilluminated and doused by rotating switch 58, such that successiveportions of the fundus 27, are illuminated and doused. The scanninglamps 54 are synchronized with the RPM of the rotating scanningdiaphragm 68 so that only that portion of the fundus 27 visible throughthe diaphragm aperture 74 at any instant is illuminated, furtherreducing reflected glare, haze and interference of the received image.The scanning diaphragm 68 and scanning lamps 54 are cycled at high RPMto provide a continuous appearing image to eye or camera.

In another embodiment of the invention, single lamp 82 having reflector84 is activated at low intensity and a light beamed through focusinglens 86 toward fiber bundle 88 as shown in FIG. 3. The fiber bundleconnects to a fundus observing apparatus, e.g. scanner 10 shown inFIG. 1. Again, the scanner lens system is focused on the fundus 27 inthe low intensity light. The scanning prism 90 is positioned in the beambeing transmitted to the fiber bundle 88 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Theprism 90 is pivotable, so as to direct the beam in sequence atsuccessive optical fibers in the bundle 88 so as to sequentiallyilluminate successive portions of the fundus 27. The scanning prism 90is synchronized with the RPM of the rotating, scanning diaphragm, e.g.diaphragm 68 of FIG. 1 above, the lamp intensity is increased asdesired, and the received image is observed and/or photographed with theglare thereof significantly reduced.

In another embodiment of the invention, lamp 92 having reflector 94 isactivated at low intensity to project a beam 95 through focusing lenses96 and 98 to fiber bundle 100, as shown in FIG. 5. The fiber bundleconnects to a fundus observing apparatus, e.g. scanner 10 shown inFIG. 1. Again, the scanner lens system is focused on the fundus in thelow intensity light. The transmittal scanning diaphragm 107 ispositioned in the beam 95 as shown in FIG. 5. The diaphragm 101 can berotationally mounted on air bearings and be constructed like scanningdiaphragm 68 shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, a diaphragm 103 havingpattern activator 107 can be mounted stationary and have anelectronically defined moveable aperture thereon as illustrated in FIG.16. In either case, after increasing the lamp intensity as desired, thediaphragm 101 (103) cycles so as to direct the beam in sequence atsuccessive optical fibers so as to sequentially illuminate successiveportions of the fundus, as above stated. Again, the transmittal scanningdiaphragm 101 (103) is synchronized with the RPM of the scanningdiaphragm, e.g. diaphragm 68 of FIG. 1 above and the glare or hazeinterference in the received image is significantly reduced.

In another embodiment of the invention, lamp 102, having reflector 104is activated at low intensity to project a beam 105 through lenses 106and 108 to elongated fiber bundle 110 as shown in FIG. 6. Again, thefiber bundle connects to a fundus observing apparatus similar to scanner10, shown in FIG. 1, and the lens system thereof is focused. Thereciprocal diaphragm 112, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, is positioned in thebeam 105 as shown in FIG. 6 and reciprocated in its track 113 across thebeam 105 so as to block light from one side of the fibers and then theother and so to block light from one side of the fundus and then theother, e.g. fundus 27 of FIG. 1.

In another embodiment, reciprocal slotted diaphragm 114 having aperture116 can replace diaphragm 112 in the illumination system of FIG. 6 sothat in operation a slot of light scans the fibers and thus the fundus,e.g. fundus 27 of FIG. 1.

When either reciprocating diaphragm 112 or 114 is employed as describedabove, it is recommended that rotatable scanning diaphragm 68 in thescanner of FIG. 1 be replaced with a reciprocable scanning diaphragmwhich matches diaphragm 112 or 114 respectively. Again, the matchingdiaphragms are synchronized.

Whichever diaphragm is employed, the frequency thereof (including RPM),is high enough to present a clear continuous image of the fundus with afield of view of 80° to 150° and usually 100° or more to the observer orcamera, e.g. as illustrated by 100° fundus field 115 shown in FIG. 15.Some of the patterns generated by the respective scanning diaphragm,were the frequency of their cycles slowed sufficiently, would appear asillustrated in the drawing. Thus, the projected pattern of diaphragm 68of FIGS. 1 and 2, is shown as illuminated spots 118 on 100° field ofview (of fundus) 120 rotating in the direction indicated by the arrow122, as shown in FIG. 9.

The projected pattern of diaphragm 68 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can also appearas illuminated sector 124 on 100° fundus field 126, rotated in thedirection indicated by arrow 128, as shown in FIG. 10.

The projected pattern of scanning prism 90 of FIG. 3 and 4 can alsoappear as illuminated spots 118 of fundus field 120 in FIG. 9, or aspiral (or other pattern) moving spot 130 on 100° fundus field 132rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow 134 as shown in FIG. 11.

The projected pattern of scanning prism 90 of FIGS. 3 and 4 can alsoappear as concentric ring patterns, 136, 138 and 140 in 100° fundusfield 142 shown in FIG. 12. This is accomplished by aiming the prism atselected groups of fibers which define the above rings in sequence.

The projected pattern of scanning reciprocal diaphragm 112, isillustrated as reciprocable shadow 144 on 100° fundus field 146, shownin FIG. 13. Similarly, the projected pattern of reciprocal scanningdiaphragm 114 having aperture 116 is illustrated as reciprocal slot oflight 48 on 100° fundus field 150 shown in FIG. 14.

In another embodiment, quarter sections of the fundus 152 can besequentially scanned by U-shaped diaphragms 154 and 156 positioned atright angles to one another which reciprocate in turn, as indicated bythe respective arrows, as shown in FIG. 17. The fundus 152 isilluminated in a corresponding pattern.

In another embodiment diaphragm 158, having matching ring shaped window160 and circular window 162, can reciprocate to alternately scan therespective portions of the fundus (not shown) as shown in FIG. 18. Thefundus is illuminated in a corresponding pattern.

All of the above patterns and others can be also accomplished with theuse of electronically activated diaphragms in the scanner and positionedin the illuminating system which admit and exclude light in any desiredpattern and cyclical rate, including those patterns illustrated in FIGS.9 to 15, which patterns are not visible to the eye or camera at thehigher frequencies employed. For example diaphragm 103 having powersource 107 is shown in FIG. 16.

A further illumination system embodying the invention, where a pair ofbelt-driven diaphragms rotate in concert is shown in FIGS. 19 and 20,wherein lamp 164 backed by reflector 166 is activated to project a beam168 through focusing lens 170 to fiber bundle 169 having fibers 171. Thefibers 171 are spread to terminate on support ring 177 proximate theperiphery of diaphragm 172, the fibers 171 being in spaced matchingregistration with a second spread array of fibers 176 on support ring179 on the reverse side of diaphragm 172, the fibers 176 converging to afiber bundle 175 which leads to, for example, frontal lens 34 (shown inFIG. 1) as shown in FIG. 19. Light beams project across the gap betweencorresponding fibers 171 and 176 through the aperture 173 in diaphragm172, shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Illumination diaphragm 172 havingaperture 173, is driven in phase (and in sync) with viewing diaphragm 68having aperture 74 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) by endless belt 178 which isdriven, in turn, by motor 180 shown in FIG. 20.

A preferred embodiment of the invention, where one diaphragm serves fortwo, is illustrated in FIG. 21, wherein lamp 182 backed by reflector184, projects a beam 186 through focusing lens 188 to fiber bundle 190having fibers 192. The fibers 192 extend to the reduced glare scanner ofthe invention 194 of FIG. 21, which scanner is constructed like thescanner 10 of FIG. 1 except for the illumination and diaphragm systemsas discussed below. The fibers 192, upon entering the scanner 194, thenfan out around the periphery of the dual diaphragm 196 and terminateproximate thereto or behind glare shield 197, illustrated in FIG. 21. Onthe reverse side of the diaphragm 196 also behind glare shield 197 is asecond spread array of fibers 198 around the periphery thereof in spacedmatching registration with the respective fibers 192 as shown in FIGS.21 and 22. The fibers 198 extend from the dual diaphragm 196 forwardwithin the scanner and converge to terminate in a mounting around theperipheral portion of the frontal lens 199 as shown in FIG. 21. Thelight beams project across the gap between corresponding fiber 192 and198 through the aperture 200 in the diaphragm 196. The light is thenprojected through the fibers 198, through the contact lens 199 and intothe fundus 202 of the eye 204 where it reflects back through therespective lenses of the eye and scanner 194 as discussed with respectto FIG. 2 and back through the aperture 200 within the glare shield 197to the desired lens system or image receiving means eg for observationin photography. The rotation of the diaphragm 196 and thus the aperture200 thus provides for sequential illumination and observation of thesame portion of the fundus 202 of the eye 204 at the same time while thediaphragm blocks excess glare. Accordingly, illumination and observationof the eye is automatically synchronized and reduced glare scanningthereof for high clarity observation and photography of the eye isachieved.

The dual diaphragm of the invention can have various shaped apertures,singular or plural, according to the pattern of scanning desired. Forexample, the diaphragm 206 has illumination apertures 208 and 210,outside of glare shield 205, and two associated observation apertures212 and 214 as shown in FIG. 23. As the diaphragm rotates, aperture 208scans inner row of fibers 209 which illuminate (rotating) center spot206 on the fundus 218 as observed through aperture 212 and aperture 210scans outer row of fibers 211 which illuminate (rotating) outer spot 20as observed through aperture 214 as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.

For the scanner 194, various other diaphragms can be employed includingthose illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 8 and including rotating andoscillating diaphragms and electronically activated diaphragms.

Thus, the scanning system of the invention provides for wide angleillumination, focusing observation and photography of objects includingthe fundus of the eye through transparent, reflective and diffusivemedia (including lenses) while significantly reducing haze and glareinterference and obtaining previously unavailable quality of images andpictures of high clarity and definition.

Of course the scanning system of the invention can be employed withother lens systems than that shown in FIG. 1. The lens system was chosenonly as an example and the scanning means of the present invention canbe employed with virtually any lens system employed for observing (eg.an ophthalmoscope) and/or photographing the interior of the eye. Ofcourse, the lens system illustrated in FIG. 1 has the advantage ofhaving, in addition to, the observation diaphragm 68, an additionaldiaphragm 20, which further screens out peripheral glare in accordancewith the size of the aperture thereof. However, this second diaphragm 20is not essential to the functioning of the scanning diaphragm disclosedin the present invention.

The observation diaphragm can be located at the intermediate image 39but is preferably located a distance therefrom either in front of thelens 24 or behind at a short distance (as shown in FIG. 1) or a greaterdistance, as indicated in FIG. 21 or even further back (past lens 22) ifdesired. Preferably the observation diaphragm is located in the parallelportion of the reflected beam, eg. between lenses 24 and 22, shown inFIG. 1.

The scanning diaphragm in the lens system, eg. diaphragm 68, can beemployed with steady, uninterrupted illumination, for example to thefundus of the eye and will alone screen out considerable glare.Preferably, however, the scanning diaphragm, such as diaphragm 68, isemployed in conjunction with selective illumination scanning means eg.sequential lamps 54 of FIG. 1, rotatable prism 90 of FIG. 3, a matchingillumination diaphragm and the like.

The cyclic speed at which scanning must take place to present acontinuous image to observer's eye or the camera, is as follows. Forcontinuous observation of the fundus, the scanning diaphragm shouldcycle at about 1 revolution per 1/10th second, or more. For a camerahaving a shutter speed of 1/60th second, the scanning diaphragm shouldcycle at 1 revolution per 1/60th of a second or more. Higher speeds thanthose discussed above will of course result in better uniformity andwill be needed for faster camera settings.

The above speeds hold true whether the lens system scanning diaphragmand illumination system scanning means are reciprocating rotating,either smoothly or intermittently (stop-go rotation), tracing a spiral,linear or other path. In any case, a high revolution or cycles persecond, should be maintained for observation and or photographypurposes.

At such high cyclic speeds, e.g. 40,000 RPM, it is highly difficult tosynchronize, for example a rotating scanning diaphragm, e.g. diaphragm68 of FIG. 1, with another mechanical cyclical scanning means in theillumination system, such as prism 90 in FIG. 3 or rotating diaphragm101 of FIG. 5. Accordingly, it is recommended that where one scanningdiaphragm is mechanically cycled, the matching scanning means, e.g. inthe illumination system, should be one that is electrically orelectronically cycled in synchronization with the mechanically cycleddiaphragm since the latter can more readily be synchronized with theformer. Of course, when both the lens system scanning diaphragm and theillumination scanning means are both electronic, then synchronizationthereof is more readily attained and maintained. Alternatively twodiaphragms can be mechanically driven in sync by a common endless beltas discussed above.

A preferred scanning system according to the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the scanning diaphragm 68mechanically rotates on air bearings and the scanning means in theillumination system is an electrically cycled series of lamps, whichsystems can be readily syncronized.

A more preferred scanning system according to the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22 where the dual purpose diaphragm isemployed in place of two and no synchronization is necessary.

Although in the systems described herein, the illumination beams areseparate from the viewing of camera beams because this is the preferredsystem, other lighting systems may be employed within the scope of thepresent invention. Thus, illuminating systems which beam light throughthe viewing or observation lens system or any transparent but reflectivemedium are included within the scope of the present invention.

Although various lamps can be employed for illuminating at low intensityand at high intensity and for bright or flash lighting of the fundus ofthe eye or other objects, the lamp for bright lighting of the fundus, ispreferably a Xenon arc lamp, with a concave, (including ellipsoid andparaboloid) reflector, preferably a paraboloid reflector and preferablywith the electrodes of the arc lamp positioned so that the axes thereofcoincide with the axis of the reflector. These lamps can be employedwith dimming means to focus in the system, after which the light can bebrightened or dimmed and bright lamps can be substituted as needed.

Although various illumination and observation scanning means have beendisclosed herein, various other means which selectively or sequentiallyscan portions of an article including the fundus of the eye are includedwithin the scope of the present invention.

In addition to single axis alighment of the lens components of thereceiver illustrated in FIG. 1, various other multi-axis lens alignmentembodiments be provided within the scope of the scanner of the presentinvention. For an illustration of multi-axes lens alighment, see myco-pending patent application described above.

Between the objective lens means of the focusing lens assembly and theimage receiving means, can be positioned a beam splitter, which, asdiscussed above, directs a portion of the beam to an image receivingmeans, e.g. a camera, and directs another portion of said beam toanother image receiving means, e.g. a viewing portal for an observer, aTV or other camera, a scope and the like. The beam splitter can be aprism and a flat piece of glass of equivalent index of refraction or acube beam splitter. The beam splitter can be dispensed with if desired.A reflex camera, where employed, provides a viewing portal through thecamera lenses.

Other objects or articles besides the interior of the eye can be focusedupon and observed through the scanner of the present invention. Objects,where removing glare for a clear picture is desirable, can be readilyviewed and photographed through the apparatus of the present invention,e.g. the interior of locks, insects and miniature electronic equipment,as well as larger objects where it is necessary to observe throughtransparent reflective and diffusive media. (glass lenses, etc.)Preferably, the scanner embodying the present invention is highly suitedfor wide-angle illumination, observation and photographing of the fundusof the eye with sharply focused, glare-free clarity.

The image receiving means at the end of the image receiver can includethe observation eye, film, TV, motion and still cameras and scopes andmeasuring devices, e.g. reflectometer or a combination thereof.

In the embodiments of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 19 and21, the light projected between spaced opposed fibers (or bundles offibers) can be more fully utilized by placing a focusing lens in the gaptherebetween. Thus optical fiber 226 bonded to support ring 227 emitslight in a divergent beam 228, the outer portions of which by-passclosely spaced opposed optical fiber 230 (in phantom) so thatconsiderable light is lost therebetween, as shown in FIG. 26. To correctthis loss, optical fiber 230 mounted on support ring 231 is moved backfrom optical fiber 226 and lens 232, mounted on support ring 234,inserted therebetween to convert diverging beam 238 to convergent beam236, which can be focused (by suitably positioning lens 232) to enteroptical fiber 230, (or bundle of fibers) which may be of larger, thesame or even smaller diameter than optical fiber 226, with little orvirtually no light lost as shown in FIG. 26. Diaphragm 238 is alsomounted in the gap adjacent lens support ring 234, also as shown in FIG.26.

Accordingly the illumination system illustrated in FIG. 19 can achievegreater illumination efficiency by employing between spaced opposedoptical fibers 226 and 230 a multi-lens ring 234 and a rotatablediaphragm 238 having an aperture 239 therein as shown in FIGS. 25 and26. The multi-lens ring 234, has mounted therein, a plurality of lenses232, each lens being situated between a pair of spaced opposed fibers226 and 230 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26. The multi-lens ring 234 isshiftable sidewise to achieve the proper focus of the beams 236 on thefibers 230 and thereafter is secured in place.

The multi-lens ring 234 of the invention can be employed on either sideof the diaphragm 238 but is preferably positioned on the remote sidethereof as illustrated in FIG. 25. While preferred, the multi-lens ring234, can, where desired, be replaced by a single large lens of suitablefocal length, such as lens 64 shown in FIG. 1 herein. The optical fibers226 and 230 can, of course be replaced by individual optic fiberbundles, where desired. Further the multi-lenses can be mounted on asupport shaped like a disc, square or other shape as desired, where, asin the fiber array of FIG. 19, there is no need of an aperture or windowthrough the center thereof. Finally, the multi-lens ring of theinvention or a single large lens of suitable focal length, can beemployed in the fibers gap adjacent the diaphragm 196 in the apparatusshown in FIG. 21 or in other interrupted fiber systems employed in thereduced glare scanner embodying the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for reduced glare observation of anarticle through transparent, partially reflective and diffusive mediawherein said media is located proximate said article and between saidapparatus and said article, which apparatus comprises, an imagereceiving means; illumination means which directs an unfocused beam oflight onto said article; light directing means to direct said light beamto rapidly and repeatedly illuminate successive portions of saidarticle, which light is reflected from said article through said mediato said image receiving means; an observation diaphragm positionedbetween said media and said image receiving means in the path of theabove reflected light removed from and proximate to a focused image zoneof said article, said diaphragm having a moveable aperture for moving inconcert with said light directing means so as to rapidly scan thesequentially illuminated portions of said article, the remainder of saiddiaphragm screening out glare and means for moving said light directingmeans and said diaphragm aperture in synchronization.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said illumination means is at least one lamp and saidlight directing means is a rotatable sector diaphragm mounted betweensaid lamp and said article and means to rotate said diaphragm toilluminate in sequence portions of said article.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said illumination means is a lamp and said lightdirecting means is a moveable prism mounted between said lamp and saidarticle, which prism directs light at a portion of said article andmeans for moving said prism to illuminate in sequence portions of saidarticle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said illumination means isa plurality of lamps which are selectively illuminated and darkened tosequentially illuminate portions of said article.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said light directing means is an illuminating diaphragmpositioned in the path of light beamed to said article and mounted tomove in concert with said observation diaphragm.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5 wherein said diaphragms are rotated by an endless belt.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein positioned between said light directingmeans and said article is a plurality of optical fibers which receivethe light from said light directing means and transmit same to thearticle illuminated.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said article isthe fundus of the eye, said media includes the cornea, the aqueoushumor, the lens and the vitreous humor of said eye and said fibersterminate at and are mounted around a light receiving portal for saidimage receiving means and said fibers beam light onto the fundus of theeye.
 9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the illumination means beamslight to an optical fiber bundle, the fibers of which diverge andterminate in a first spread pattern, a second spread pattern of fibersspaced from said first spread pattern with the opposed fibers inregistration therewith, said second pattern of fibers converging to asecond fiber bundle which transmits light to said article and anilluminating diaphragm positioned between said first and second fiberpatterns and mounted to move in concert with said observation diaphragm.10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light directing meansilluminates in sequence part of said article in a cycle at the rate ofat least 1 cycle per 1 second.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidlight directing means illuminates in sequence portions of said articleat the rate of a least 1 cycle per 1/60th second.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said observation diaphragm means has an aperture thereinand means for rotating said diaphragm on an axis normal thereto torotate said aperture.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said apertureis a wedge shaped sector with apex proximate the center of saiddiaphragm.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm apertureis reciprocated before said media so as to scan the illuminated portionof said article.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said diaphragm isrotated on an air bearing.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saiddiaphragm is rotated intermittently.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1wherein said diaphragm has an electronically created aperture which isactivated to scan said article.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinsaid diaphragm is a dual purpose diaphragm having at least one lighttransmitting aperture near the periphery thereof and at least oneobservation aperture within said periphery, said light directing meansdirects light through said light transmitting aperture to said article,said light being reflected through at least a portion of said media andthrough said observation aperture to said image receiving means andmeans for moving said diaphragm and thus said apertures so as to rapidlyscan sequentially illuminated portions of said article.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18 wherein the ilumination means beams light to anoptical fiber bundle, the fibers of which diverge and terminate in afirst spread pattern arrayed around the periphery of said diaphragm inclose spaced proximity therewith, a like second spread pattern of fibersarrayed proximate the reverse side of said diaphragm with the opposedfibers in registration with the first pattern of fibers, said secondpattern of fibers extending out of the path of said reflected lightforward from said diaphragm to said article to illuminate the same. 20.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image receiving means is anobservation window.
 21. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said imagereceiving means is a camera.
 22. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein amulti-lens support is positioned between said first and second fiberpatterns and adjacent said illuminating diaphragm, said support havingmounted therein a plurality of lenses, each lens being mounted between apair of spaced opposed fibers to focus the light rays transmittedtherebetween.
 23. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein a single lens ofsufficient size is interposed between said first and second fiberpatterns to focus the light rays transmitted between opposed fibers. 24.The apparatus of claim 19 wherein a multi-lens support is positionedbetween said first and second fiber patterns and adjacent saidilluminating diaphragm, said support having mounted therein a pluralityof lenses, each lens being mounted between a pair of spaced opposedfibers to focus the light rays transmitted therebetween.
 25. Theapparatus of claim 19 wherein each fiber is replaced by a fiber bundle.26. A method for reduced glare observation of the fundus of an eyethrough transparent, reflective and diffusive media comprising,directing scanning light to rapidly illuminate successive portions ofsaid fundus repeatedly, admitting the reflected light from the thenilluminated portion of said fundus to an image receptor while blockingsubstantially all the glare and reflected and diffused light from therest of the scanned portion of said fundus by moving a diaphragm acrossthe path of said reflected light, removed from and proximate to afocused image zone of said article so as to obtain a clear image ofsubstantially all the scanned portion of said fundus by rapidobservation scanning of the sequentially illuminated portions thereof.27. The method of claim 26 wherein said observation scanning occursthrough the aperture of a diaphragm and said aperture is moved acrossthe path of said reflected light in concert with said scanning light.28. The method of claim 26 wherein said scanning light is transmitted tosaid fundus by way of fiber optics.
 29. The method of claim 26 whereinsaid article is the fundus of an eye.
 30. The method of claim 26 whereinsaid image receptor is the human eye.
 31. The method of claim 26 whereinsaid image receptor is a camera including a film camera and a televisioncamera.